Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park is one of the most remarkable parks in the Himalayas and Nanda Devi peak which is the second largest peak here and India’s one of the natural monuments that is often cherished by tourists visiting here. The national park is a heritage site that offers distinguished topography, climate, and soil and supports diverse species, communities, eco- systems and habitat.

The Nanda Devi National Park is an extensive area with few parallels in the Himalayas. It is surrounded by vast expanse of high peaks and glaciers lying within a range of pristine habitats that lies close to bio-transitional zone in middle-of Eastern and Western Himalayas and succors numerous endangered species of mammals. The place is surrounded by vast expanse of high peaks and glaciers lying within a range of pristine habitats that lies close to bio-transitional zone in middle-of Eastern and Western Himalayas and succors numerous endangered species of mammals.

Nanda Devi National Park is rich in nature and has Brahma Kamal and Bharal- the blue mountain goat that makes this sanctuary of nature. In the year 1982, the access to Nanda Devi national park for trekkers was banned by the government due to preserve the bio-diversity. Park is a heritage site and so part of this place has been left open to tourists who visit here.

History of Nanda Devi National Park There is a small history attached to this place. The Nanda Devi national park was declared as Nanda Devi sanctuary in the year 1939, comprising an area of 630sq km that was then added to Nanda devi national park in the year 1982 which is now a part and the important zone of Nanda devi biosphere reserve. Later the area was declared as a world heritage site in the year 1988.

Structure of Nanda Devi Sanctuary The National Park can be divided in to two parts, namely inner and outer. Together, these two parts are besieged by the main sanctuary wall that forms a rough square outline with ridges on the east and the south side.

On the west side, there are ridges that drop to south from north to the Rishi Ganga Gorge and drain the Sanctuary towards the west.

The inner sanctuary takes up the eastern two-thirds of the entire area and comprises the Nanda Devi itself. It also encompasses two important glaciers here namely the Uttari-North Rishi Glacier and the Dakshni- South Rishi Glacier. These glaciers are fed by the small Uttari Nanada Devi and Dakshni Nanda Devi glacier respectively. Here, the first ever known entry was made by Eric Shipton and H.W. Tilman in 1934 through Risghi Gorge.

The Outer Sanctuary takes up the Western Side of the entire sanctuary area and is segregated from the Inner Sanctuary by high ridges via which Rishi Ganga River flows. The sanctuary is split by Rishi Ganga on two sides- the North side where lies the Ramani Glacier that flows down from the slopes Changabang and Dunagiri. On the southern side lies the Trisul Glacier that flows from the Rishi Ganga. This portion of the Glacier is accessible to the tourists though one ought to cross 4000mts distance.

Peaks around National park There are numerous important peaks around Nanda Devi National Park; few of the important ones are Dubagiri-7066mts, Kalnka-6931mts, Mangraon-6765mts, Changband-6864mts, Maiktoli-6803mts, Trisul-7120mts, Bethartoli Himal-6351mts, Nandadevi East-7434mts and Mrigthuni-6655mts.

Travel Guide to Nanda Devi National Park Location- Chamoli District, Uttarakhand Trek to Nanda Devi National Park commences as a steep ascent at a high altitudinal zone of 13kms route from 2000mts at village Lata to 4250mts to Dharasi-the topmost point.

Visitors Group- The number of tourists coming to Nanda Devi National Park has to move in clutters. Each group has maximum of five tourists. Not more than two groups are allowed to visit the park in one day and not more than four groups are allowed in a week. There is one guide that will accompany all the visitors or a group. Visitors above the 14 years of age are only allowed to enter the premises. For tourists it is mandatory to obey all the provisions of wildlife protection act applicable inside the park area.

Medical Health- One ought to be medically fit. As the terrain is arduous, so every visitor should get him medically checked and ought to take all precautionary measures at his end.

Best Season to visit The National Park remains open for a period of six months from 1st May and closes on 31st October. The best time to visit is from 15th June to 15th September.

How to Reach Nanda Devi National Park From Rishikesh to Joshimath, you can take up 253ksm drive that is further followed by a drive of 25kms to road ahead at Lata Village where the trek commences.

Airport: Nearest Airport to Nanda Devi National Park is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315kms Rail:- Rishikesh is the closest railway station Road: - Best route to travel to Nanda Devi National Park is via Lata, 30km ahead of which Joshimath that is connected by bus services. Joshimath is connected to Rishikesh and other centers in the region.

Important Distance Chart Lata is about 21kms on the Joshimath-Malari Road Tolma- On the way to Joshimath-Malari road, 30kms away from Joshimath